Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-31

& utOii, WlICu LlitS pGlu uOWu, anu lie OC8t
was his. The boatbuilder, however, made Us
promise faithfully not to alter her in the least
particular, not even to touch her with tar
brush, until we were at kralholm- We gave
tie promise readily, and the builder talked 50
much while she was being launched that
neither of US noticed that no cross was tarred
on her stern.
Ny wife win have it that the boatbuilder
was in league with the norman, who had
doubtless taught him how to build 90 well be-
low the water line that he might lure u into
sailing thus unprotected by the holy sign,
which all fends fear, and which would have
saved US from his vengeance. She may be
right; such things have been, and that man,
l have heard, ended miserably.
Early in the afternoon We all sailed for
home. We had about eight miles to 60, and
soon found that the sea going qualities Of our
new purchases were likely to be thoroughly
tested. 1t blew very hard, and the waves
ran high She behaved spendidly, Swimming
over the pillows like water fowl, shipping
scarcely spray. We were delighted with
her
Suddenly Karen gave q cry Of alarm and
pointed over the stern We looked and saw
4 great black cloud, which seemed to cover
the whole horizon, rolling down upon US with
q streak OF boiling white foam before it.
sprang TO reef the sail, and in an instant the
squall was upon US At once all was dark a.
night. We could not see each others faces
The wind howled, and as the boat bent to it,
rushing on her course. it seemed that she
must capsize. The children screamed with
fright. Then at short distance to wind
ward the blackness opened, as If a curtain
bad been drawn up, and in a broad space OF
Hyid greenish light we saw another ten cared
boat. She stood out black and distinct
against the half circle OF light which seemed
to travel with her. She was an exact copy
OF cur own boat; she was sailing the same
course, but while we heslsd terribly to the
wind and plunged madly to the raging sea,
s..e, with full sail SGT, glided along on an even
keel, as steady as though the sea were a mill
pond. The wind and sea seemed to have no
effect on her
l could see but one aboard her, a dark
figure at the helm. She frightened me. But
| could not think of her long, for the wind
was row hurricane and every wave dashed
over our bows, half filing tho boat with
water. | heard Elias shout, Look out! Hold
fast, all of you." and saw an enormous wave,
rs high our mast. it seemed, topping over
us. Tons of water dashed down upon Us, and
| thought we We're sinking; but our boat
quickly riChted anC seemed to shake the
water from her. | looked first for Elias l
could just make out his figure still at the
helm Then I heard half stifled shrek,
sob, Elias, husband Martha and Nils! Save
t,em.' 1t was karen's voice. The two lit
,.r ones were gone. | heard Elias groan
We could 10 nothing. Then | looked for the
ether boat The creenish light was brighter,
e strange graft more distinct. Two had
been added to her crew They stood motion
less by her mast; their faces were the faces
of the dead, the faces of the drowned chill
dren. 1t was a fearful sight, but before we
could speak a word another mountain Of
water was hurled upon lis, and when it had
passed Karen was gore, and Antons life
line dangled loose and empty. ! could hear
Elias praying, while the four Older boys
Clung half drowned to the mast and neither
moved nor spoke.
We heard loud laugh, and q deep voice
called, HAL hal Elias,.I will have a full
crew soon" There was the strange boat
scarce fifty feet from U.s. In her were Karen
and Anton, Nils and Martha, dead and white,
and there, huge, naked and terrible, stood the
SbceISHlal, WIN SCH green ildiT anu DedTu
blowing wildly about his frightful head
eth menacing gesture he pointed to the
spike of fish spear sticking between his
shoulders. | nearly tainted. Elias ceased
praying. BY the CHASTITY light now SO near
u | could SEE his face 1t was that Of wild
beast at b1y--de pairing, but ferocious.
Drawing his long knife, he muttered: Il
know you, know YOU If a spear can pierce
your back this may reach your heart"
"Elias!' l shrieked, that land.
What would you dof"
Ind this. one way or other he shouted.
10 t1v she t, fooI!' and he put up the helm.
| trimmed the sail close, as by instinct. and
we flew 10 run down our pursuer. | was now
desperate, too, and, grasping the boathook,
stood r Wy to-str]ae.
JI,t q, we seemed aboard of the norman
another wave swept over us; | felt our boat
sink from under me. Even through the
rush of the water | heard wild shrieks and
shouts Of fiendish laughter, and knew no
more until ] found myself clinging with
death grip 20 the unsuDinerged rail OF our
wrecked boat, whose heavy mast and spread
sail alone prevented her from capsizing COM
pleteIy
The black cloud was gone the norman was
gone, The four boys were gone, bDt | saw
Elias caught between the boom and the top
peIlift. Il was showing; the wind and the
sea u ere - fierce a. ever, but il was no longer
50 dark. I managed 10 reach Elias and drag
him up beside me, holding him with ono arm,
while with tie other | clung TO the rail, rest
ing my feet on the combing Of the hatch. l
thought him dead. but soon he moved AM.
sighed.
Courage | said, the norman is gone
You VIII live"
"No, Berut, ne answered weakly. God Is
too good to let the ieud carry his revenge so
far as that. am dying; you viii be saved. |
You are 10. Of my blood. shall soon be with !
Karen and tie Children
lie was silent for while. Then he whiD |
pared, hrUksniy: "Bernt remeinber-all fR |
You 3nl Eisa-alLH
held Lim as strongly as could Suddenly |
3 lool, OF JOY lii up ks white face Stretch. |
ing out BIS arms. he cried: Yes, Karen, / |
an coming he wrenchei himself free from |
nly weakened bold, and fell back ward into the |
sea-
l suppose [ tainted then, for when / was i
again conscious, two days after. was in my 4
bed a. Kraibolm. with Elsa bending over me /
sbe had found me on tina; fatal evening,
wing drowned. as she then thought on the /
bach. whittier she had gone 10 meet US all As 1
ae weather had l>een perfect al ,.ay, every
]se slVposei that Elias and his family had 4
Or some reason remained over at Raaen, and /
tat /. returning alone IN some small boat In
y-glsg 10 lie with Elsa-for or cC1rtshIp was
DO a-cEet--Lad through some accident fallen
9veltso1rd-
When I told the dreadful truth til y did
lot believe ne When on inquiry they learned